Oakland: Police arrest 7 in morning sweep of violent gang suspects

OAKLAND -- Seven suspected members of an East Oakland gang believed responsible for shootings, robberies and other violent crimes were arrested Thursday morning during raids across the East Bay.

Other suspected members of the Money Team gang were still being sought, police said.

The 10 search warrant raids were conducted because the suspects failed to abide by terms laid down by Operation Ceasefire, Oakland interim Chief Sean Whent's main crime-fighting strategy.

Under Ceasefire, known violent criminal offenders or representatives of the gangs and groups they belong to are told by police that unless they stop the violence and change their lifestyles, they will be arrested.

Money Team members are believed responsible for numerous killings, shootings, armed robberies and residential home-invasion robberies, police said. They have been involved in a bloody feud since last year with another East Oakland gang known as Case Boys, many of whose members were rounded up in a similar operation in March.

Whent said Ceasefire enforcement efforts will "impact (gangs') ability to conduct crime in this city. If they continue to commit violent crimes, we will come after them. We will not take the pressure off until the violence stops."

The raids were carried out mainly in East Oakland, but warrants were also served in Hayward, Fremont and Antioch. Police would not say what the suspects were arrested for or if any guns or narcotics were seized.

Advertisement

Lt. Tony Jones said the raids stemmed from investigation that began in March, and he believes the arrests will bring a reduction in crime. "This is a violent, organized high-level criminal street gang," he said.

Capt. Darren Allison said the "warrants went smoothly, and no one was hurt." He thanked the other law enforcement agencies that assisted, including U.S. Marshals, the FBI, Alameda and Contra Costa County sheriff's offices, and the Alameda, Fremont, Hayward and San Leandro police departments.